A week after, wife of deceased Maruti official breaks silence

The wife of a senior Maruti Suzuki executive, who was killed in workers' violence inside the carmaker's Manesar plant last week, broke her silence on Monday, saying the tragedy could have been averted if the company had provided security to officials inside the plant.

The wife of a senior Maruti Suzuki executive, who was killed in workers' violence inside the carmaker's Manesar plant last week, broke her silence on Monday, saying the tragedy could have been averted if the company had provided security to officials inside the plant.

"Vigilance and intelligence officials (inside the plant) could not assess the threat perception. No security was provided to the officials at the facility," Suparna Prasad Dev said, struggling to hold back her tears as people continued to pour into her residence to offer condolences.

Her husband, Awanish Kumar Dev, general manager (human resources) at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant, was burned alive in the violence in which about 100 others were injured. Violence had erupted following the suspension of a worker.

The emotional appeal by the deceased manager's wife came in the backdrop of widespread criticism against the car manufacturer. Dev said there was a failure in recognising the build-up of labour discontent. Though there have been no such violence at the plant earlier, workers and the management have previously been at loggerheads as well.

"People inside (the plant) were supposed to know. It was their duty. It was failure on their part as they should haveknown that such a level of anger was there," she said. Looking at the photograph of her late husband, she said: "We want justice for him. Whosoever has done this to him should be brought to justice."

She, however, said the family was satisfied with the actions taken up by the state government, which has formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the brutal murder. An MBA from Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi, Awanish (50) had joined Maruti Suzuki in June 2010. He is survived by his wife, and a 16-year old son, Abhyudit.